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< eBay ~ Comment on - The Future eBay Will Be Unrecognisable... |
| sunray |
 Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 1:09 am |
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Comment on - The Future eBay Will Be Unrecognisable...
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Site Admin
Joined: 01 Jan 1970
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Location: UK
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| rainbowseeker |
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Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 1:35 pm |
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Comment on - The Future eBay Will Be Unrecognisable...
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PheeBay Supporter
Joined: 25 Feb 2007
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Location: Wisconsin USA
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| sunray |
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Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 2:17 pm |
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Comment on - The Future eBay Will Be Unrecognisable...
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Site Admin
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Location: UK
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I can understand the difficulty smaller alternative sites have trying to run attractive auctions. They don't work unless you get more than one bidder. Sellers are terrified they might lose a buck by listing with low opening bids etc. etc. etc.
But until there is a financial cost attached to seeking top dollar BIN prices, that's what sellers who "don't need to sell" will do. As a result the site remains pretty unattractive to buyers and, in turn, sellers who NEED to sell have little option but to stay on eBay.
In my view the alternative sites need to ensure there are a good range of auctions for good items starting at keen prices. If auction sites invested in acquiring and offering such auctions I think they may achieve more - buck for buck - than they do via Adwords or other forms of paid advertisng.
This assumes it is an alternative that has a marketing/advertising budget/strategy of course!!  |
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| webvoyager |
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Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 4:00 pm |
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Comment on - The Future eBay Will Be Unrecognisable...
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Full Member
Joined: 19 Mar 2007
Posts: 280
Location: U.K.
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| I would agree with much of what OO says in her article. I'm not so sure however about the long term future of ebay as a non-Mom & Pop site. Without them it loses a lot of the unusual one-off items (as well as loads of junk of course). Also it's difficult to have confidence in the ability of the present management team to turn the site around. And will new giant corporate retailers want to list on there when the site persists in its badly flawed feedback system? I think its only hope is a takeover which might bring some new ideas in, but I suspect the heyday of the online auction site may be over. The novelty has worn off and the recession is about to be begin. |
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| 0ctavias0fferings |
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Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 4:09 pm |
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Comment on - The Future eBay Will Be Unrecognisable...
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Admin
Joined: 29 Oct 2006
Posts: 7597
Location: Highlands of Scotland
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webvoyager wrote: I would agree with much of what OO says in her article. I'm not so sure however about the long term future of ebay as a non-Mom & Pop site. Without them it loses a lot of the unusual one-off items (as well as loads of junk of course). Also it's difficult to have confidence in the ability of the present management team to turn the site around. And will new giant corporate retailers want to list on there when the site persists in its badly flawed feedback system? I think its only hope is a takeover which might bring some new ideas in, but I suspect the heyday of the online auction site may be over. The novelty has worn off and the recession is about to be begin.
You raise some good points there Webvoyager.
I do believe the one-off vintage / antique items will continue but they will be presented on the site by the drop-off stores. As for the feedback system, that should be fine as it is for the corporates, they have systems in place for efficient shipping and, since the majority of the goods they'll offer will either be refurb returns under guarantee or similar, all will be in stock ready for despatch.
I think there are a huge number of buyers out there who are looking for the thrill of the auction format, it just isn't happening to the same extent on eBay.
In recessional times I would expect a normal auction site to thrive - as long as the on-site security is decent - as folks will need to turn around items they might otherwise have recycled to the charity shops or local jumble sales and they will also be looking to pick up bargains in the way of items they might need  |
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| Passion Vine House |
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Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 4:28 pm |
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Comment on - The Future eBay Will Be Unrecognisable...
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Admin
Joined: 30 Nov 2006
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Location: Los Angeles
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webvoyager wrote: And will new giant corporate retailers want to list on there when the site persists in its badly flawed feedback system?
I think there is a big difference here that needs to be recognized.
If I get home from Target with an item and discover it is broken in the box I think 'no big deal', I can drop in and they will instantly put the money back on my CC or give me a replacement. The assistant will smile and chat and in general be very pleasant. I expect it to be exactly the same should Target sell me an item on eBay.
If I buy an item from an individual on eBay and it is broken when it arrives there now begins a long and painful back and forth email exchange. Did you buy insurance? It was'nt broken when I shipped it. I packed it really well. Complain to your Post Office. I'm not refunding postage. No refund until you leave positive feedback. Crap...I'm getting worked up just thinking about it. |
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| rainbowseeker |
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Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 4:41 pm |
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Comment on - The Future eBay Will Be Unrecognisable...
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PheeBay Supporter
Joined: 25 Feb 2007
Posts: 1698
Location: Wisconsin USA
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| rainbowseeker |
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Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 4:54 pm |
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Comment on - The Future eBay Will Be Unrecognisable...
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PheeBay Supporter
Joined: 25 Feb 2007
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Location: Wisconsin USA
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| webvoyager |
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Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 5:07 pm |
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Comment on - The Future eBay Will Be Unrecognisable...
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Full Member
Joined: 19 Mar 2007
Posts: 280
Location: U.K.
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Well there's certainly a recession in collectible photographic gear - the value of that has been dropping for a couple of years. But I accept other areas may be fine.
I can see what PVH is saying about her unexpected high value sale on ebay. Maybe in some categories that is the only place, but I don't think that is true of all. Delcampe seems to be doing very nicely in terms of listings (around 15,000,000) & through put rate but I haven't studied it to see what categories its strong on. Specialist Auctions has a strong niche in militaria. I stumbled upon it by looking at someone's feedback and was amazed to see that there is a seller there with over 700 positive feedback and many in that section with well over 100. I think it pays to look around and study all the options. Putting all ones eggs (or most of them) in the ebay basket could for the one-person business result in a lot of broken shells imho. |
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| rainbowseeker |
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Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 5:58 pm |
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Comment on - The Future eBay Will Be Unrecognisable...
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PheeBay Supporter
Joined: 25 Feb 2007
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Location: Wisconsin USA
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